2016-12-12 General Committee - Attachment 1 to Item 6 - Biodiversity Assessment Report

                                                Noosa Biodiversity Plan – Biodiversity Assessment Report




The 2003 flora and fauna studies provided more accurate and current information to the previous
vegetation studies undertaken in 1995, which were prepared as part of the framework supporting the
development of the 1997 Strategic Plan for the Noosa Shire Council. The availability of better quality
aerial photography and the development of more refined mapping techniques at the time allowed both
studies to detail:

      •      Vegetation classification and condition across the shire
      •      Fauna assemblages, habitat associations and corridor linkages
      •      Species of conservation significance, including regional and local scales
      •      Relevant key risks and threats with recommended approaches to planning and
             management.

Now, thirteen years on from the most recent assessments, this Biodiversity Assessment Report builds on
all studies undertaken to date. This assessment has used a greater range of currently available
information, much of which has been collected using the most up-to-date processes and technology. This
assessment provides increased precision and an up-to-date evaluation of biodiversity values, risks and
conservation priorities since the preparation of the 2003 studies.

Key elements from the previous studies that have been updated and expanded upon, include information
relating to:

      •      Regional Ecosystem (RE) classification of Noosa’s vegetation communities
      •      Conservation significance of regrowth vegetation and REs
      •      Extent of representation of REs within protection reserves
      •      Connectivity and corridor mapping across the shire
      •      Threatened flora and fauna species, including regionally and locally significant species
             known to occur in Noosa
      •      Threats at a local context e.g. vegetation clearing rates, weed invasion
      •      Conservation significance criteria.

Key changes from previous biodiversity planning studies to the current study includes:

      •      Separation of the concept of biodiversity significance from conservation significance
      •      Consideration of climate change risk and the potential impacts to biodiversity values
      •      Inclusion of ecosystems that contribute to biodiversity including wetlands and waterways
      •      Analysis of statistical data including biodiversity values’ distribution and proportions across
             the region and threatened species presence
      •      Utilisation of sophisticated mapping techniques, software and products (e.g. LiDAR)
      •      Consideration of existing statutory and non-statutory mechanisms and the role of local
             conservation management and planning.


1.3   St u d y s co pe a nd obj ect iv e s
The aim of this report is to improve the current understanding of biodiversity values, threats and emerging
issues with the purpose of identifying the key future issues for local biodiversity conservation management
and planning in Noosa. This will ultimately inform the key priorities and actions to be captured in the
Biodiversity Conservation Plan.

The scope of the document is to:

      •      Review and update existing vegetation mapping available for Noosa Shire



  © ECO LOGICAL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD                                                                        13